Anyone See "Marley and Me"

Hi L.,

We have not watched this movie, but www.family.org has a detailed rating on their website. Here's a link:
http://www.pluggedinonline.com/movies/movies/a###-###-###...

If that doesn't work, go to the website and click on entertainment (on the left) and choose plugged in reviews, then search for Marley and Me.

Based on that review, we decided not to view this movie.

Hope this helps!
S.

I agree with the other moms, it is not for young kids. I took my 9 yr old and there were many things in the movie that I was not thrilled with him seeing. About halfway through I thought he was going to ask to leave but he stuck it out. There are a few parts that small children will not understand but it is really sad at the end.

This is not a happy ending movie. I had heard that a little girl went to see the movie and they couldn't calm her down at the end because she was so upset. I personally wouldn't take them to see it.

M.

http://www.kids-in-mind.com/

Great website, goes into great detail of what you can expect to find in a movie, much more helpful then just the ratings. After seeing Bridge to Terebithia, and having no clue that was about the death of a little girl, I highly recommend using a website like that one before taking our kids to a movie.

I haven't seen the movie, although my children (age 8 and 5) are begging to see it. I like to consult the web site Common Sense Media for guidance on whether or not movies are age-appropriate. Check out the review for Marley and Me. They suggest it is okay for ages 13 and above.

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/marley-me

Hope this helps.

I saw it. There were children in the theater, so I was conscious of what was happening in the movie. There were 2 scenes that might be questionable. The dog humps someone once. The other time, the parents get naked and jump in the pool. They don't show anything, but you should be aware of that. There is a VERY sad part. It is up to you whether you think your children can handle those things. It isn't a children's story by any means, it is based on a novel for adults. But the dog entertains the little ones if you really want to see it and can't get a babysitter.

I have not seen the movie because I know that in the book the dog dies. I am a real pet lover and recently lost a yellow lab so chose not to see it. With children that young you might have to decide if the are and or if you have already had discussions with them on death.

In my experience, kids that age would do better with a G rated, animated movie. My son is almost 6 and he's still leery of watching "real people" movies! :-)

I saw it and absolutely loved it!!! There are a few "sexual" situations when they are trying to get pregnant, nothing graphic at all, but that would be the only thing I would be slightly concerned about with little ones. I saw it with my husband and we both really enjoyed it.

After reading the other responses I see the ending was already given away, and yes it is very sad and that also is something to consider. This is not the final scene though. They do a wonderful job of showing how the children deal with it and the whole movie is showing what a wonderful life this dog had with his family.

Accccck! DON'T see it!!!
My girlfriend says the dog DIES at the end and all you could hear was the sound of kide crying in the theater. Sadists jerks! Didn't they learn from "Old Yeller"?!

Good movie, lots of funny parts, but it's a true story and had a sad ending. (Exactly like the book.) My whole family cried.

Hi L., I did not personelly see it but my sister took her 2 boys ages 7 and 10, and she was not impressed. she said there was some sexual content in it. so i guess its to your discretion. I dont think i would take my 4 yr. old. good luck.

Hi L.,
Here is the BEST website on movie/music reviews. Here's everything that you could possibly want to know about Marley and Me:
http://www.pluggedinonline.com/movies/movies/a###-###-###...

Hope that helps!
C.
http://thepurplepear.etsy.com
www.daisybows.com

I took my 6 year old to see it and what a mistake. There was alot of sexual inuendos - some language - and a very very sad ending. I went into the movie with blinders on not knowing what to expect - we should have seen hotel for dogs instead. Good luck

Because of the age of your children I would recommend you take them to see something else for your first outing. My kids are older and haven't expressed interest in seeing Marley. The Tale of Despereaux was actually adapted from a children's book and is aimed at the 5 and under crowd. I would also recommend Bolt or Madagascar. If you're sure you want them to see something that isn't animated, Bedtime Stories was great! It was the first non-animated movie that all of my kids agreed was the best they've seen! My kids are 12, 10 1/2, 9 and 6 1/2 and they all enjoyed it. With all of these choices, I would say start with Despereaux...it has some action, a princess and a hero.

Have fun with whatever you decide!

Hi L.,

I almost took my 8 year old son to see it because they make it out to be a "family friendly" movie. I read the book and yes it is very sad. I read reviews on-line and almost 85% said do not take your children to see it. First off, there is very inappropriate language in it and a lot of referrals to sex. Teenagers even posted comments saying it should have been PG-13 and certainly not appropriate for youngsters. The movies should be an enjoyable experience and most people said they left with very upset children and the parents were embarassed by some of the language in it. Your decision but I personally did not take my son to see it and we saw Bedtime Stories instead which was enjoyable for all.

A.

I saw Marley and Me with my 3 boys that are 7,9 and 10. It was a really cute movie, but defiantely more for adults then kids. There were scenes that were funny and cute with the dog, but it was about soooo much more. The couple is tying to start their family... there are a few scenes with pregnancy tests that my younges was asking about...

I don't think this would be good for a 3 and 4 year old. Especially as a first movie.

Its a great movie, but they maybe too young!

Hi L.,
I understand your concern about not being able to get good info for kids in movie reviews. I haven't seen "Marley and Me" but a friend told me about a website that I use all the time now before my kids see a movie (it even has movies that are on DVD). The site is www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews
I'm sure they'd have "Marley and Me" on there. Good luck!

Hi: I was going to take my 2 kids -- ages 5 & 6 -- this weekend, but changed my mind when I talked to 2 people who had seen it. It shows dog having a miscarriage and later putting it to sleep. Instead, I took them to see Dog Hotel which was perfect for kids. Adorable dogs, clever kids, funny antics. Might also get people thinking about adopting a shelter dog -- or foster kids!!

L., I seen the movie, I loved it, but I don't know if you want your little ones to go and see it, by the end of the movie everyone in there was crying. My co worker and her son who is 4 went and seen it and he was very upset at the end of the movie, nobody really knew how it would end.But the movie was good and funny till you got to the end of it.

My kids weren't really ready for non-animated until 5 years old or more. The movie also has a sad ending.

I have heard similar things also, that is really not a "family friendly" movie. The dog dies, and there are a lot of themes in the movie that are not appropriate for kids. I would pick a different one if I were you! :) Check the local listings, I am sure there must be a G rated movie out there somewhere!!

Have you read the book? I would suggest that before seeing the movie.

I wouldn't take little kids to see the movie. The dog dies at the end and the movie lingers on the death and sadness.

The only thing I have heard is that there is a very sad scene in it. Without giving the movie away I wouldn't bring the kids.

very good movie, but you do know it has an extremely sad ending that may be too intense for your little ones. I was glad that I was alone when I read the book!

I haven't seen it, but I heard that in spite of the kid-friendly ads, that it is rather a sad movie and not really a good one for kids.

we didn't go, but a friend of ours took her 5 year old son and felt it was too mature. There is frank discussion of a miscarriage and the dog is put to sleep in the end. We had planned to go because they make it seem kid friendly in the ads, but given some of the sad moments, we'll probably go alone.

I did not see it but my niece did. She said the dog dies at the end and everyone in the movie theater was crying...my daughter had considered taking her 5 & 3 yr old until she heard that...her children are very sensitive and she decided against it when she heard that.

I heard the end of the movie is VERY sad. Maybe that would be a bit tramatic for your kids...they're pretty young.

Hi L. ~ We haven't seen the movie, but a great website that my husband & I use often is imdb.com it gives you a description of the movie then breaks it down into the different scenarios that may be offensive (sex, violence, language, etc.) It is a great resource beyond the standard rating system. Hope you find it helpful as well. blessings ~ J.

I pulled this off the web, but to give you my opinion....no it is not appropriate for children.

I just returned from seeing "Marley and Me" and let me tell you, I wasn't disappointed; it was a real pleasure to watch. Jennifer Aniston and Clive Owen star as a couple who take in a pup named "Marley" ( named after the late reggae star Bob Marley) who turns out to be more of a hindrence then a blessing as he grows older. After a while they both decide to have a family (three children), but not first going through some grim realities of life (she suffer's a miscarriage while trying to have her first baby). They learn the responsibilities of having a family by first raising "Marley " the pup into adulthood and then into old age (the ending is a real touching tear jerker, so bring the "kleenex box" when going to see this if you are very sentimental about the issue of old age and dying, especially with pets).

Jennifer Aniston continues to play her role of the "girlfriend" type of character (this time she is a wife and then a mom). There is a differnt side of Miss. Aniston that I haven't seen before and that is a breath of fresh air that I haven't seen in her the other movies I have seen her in. Clive Owen also puts in a good performance. This movie certainly teaches the viewer one thing, the importance of family, responsibility (staring with "Marley" and then with family), dealing with issues such as death and most importantly about love, which it does admirably. I would definately recommend this movie if you are into this family (although this movie would be more suitable for the ages of twelve and onward in my opinion) oriented, sentimetal type of genre. It is a heartwarming experience and I left feeling very satisfied. I hope Hollywood conjures up more of these films, especially in these times. It is definately a feel good movie and I must admit it did stir up feelings (reminded me of "Charlie" a dog who lived next door to me while growing up) and memories. It also left me feeling good and that's one thing I like to feel after seeing a movie.

My daughter (7 yrs old) wanted to go see it, but I heard on a radio talk show that the dog dies at the end of the movie....too much for my little one. So I opted to skip this one!

Not to ruin the movie for you but the dog dies in the end and it is very sad. I cried a lot during the movie. I don't think I would take kids that young to see it.

I say "NO"...when i found out the ending i knew that i would not like it and i am 44...my kids are 6 and 10 boys but we have pets and my kids are also sensitive....why do they have to end it that way? I do not like bambi either....tooo sad

Hi L.,

I would definitely say that this movie is NOT appropriate for children. My mom saw it and said that everyone in the theater was crying and the plot was way above children's head. It is very said, the dog does die at the end and they show every detail in the dieing/putting to sleep. So I would definitely say no.
Hope this helps B.

Dear L.,

I have seen Marley & Me. It was a good movie but I don't think its right for young children. They do have to put Marley down at the end and they show her at the vet with the I.V. They put the medicine in and she closes her eyes. Its very sad and maybe difficult for a young child. I, personally, would not bring my children at that age. But you know your children best. Just be prepared for alot of questions.

M.

I"m inrested to see your responses. Dinner and a trip to see this movie was supposed to be by gift to my mom for christmas this year. She loved the book and I thought this would be great. but she keeps putting me off, when i asked if she wanted to see something else she said yes because she heard the dog gets hit by a car at the end of the movie and it would be too sad for her, which is slightly different than the book.
I also remember hearing somewhere that it isn't kid friendly. I read the book a long time ago, and it had some very adult themes, like trying to be romantic and the dog was jealous, infertility etc
So i can't speak from actual experience, and i might be totally wrong about what i said. My guess is though, that I don't think a 4 year old or younger would enjoy this in a theater.
I hope you get some posts from someone who has actually seen it.

I didn't see it, but i heard on the radio that the dog dies....

I saw this movie last night with my mom for a "girl's night out". My husband stayed with my kids and that was a wise decision. It was a great movie with funny parts but it also was a real tear jerker from about half way through. I don't think there was a dry eye in the theater. I definitely wouldn't choose this movie for young children. My oldest is 7 and I am glad I didn't take him. I just felt it was too intense and had very real, sad aspects of life in it. That being said,as an adult, and even though I cried I loved it. Made me want to rush home and hug my kids and my Golden.

I wouldn't take them, particularly if it's their first movie. There's a lot of sexual innuendo that actually would probably go over their head, but they would see a dog dying (a veterinarian giving the dog the injection and putting the dog down), which I don't think would be the best memory of a movie experience.

I took my nephews 7 and 9 to see it and my daughter who is 10. My 7 year old nephew was bored and kept asking when it was going to be over but the other two were fine with it. I honestly would not have gone if I knew how sad it was at the end and I felt that there were a couple parts that were not appropriate for young kids. There are a lot of other "good" kids movies to go see at the theaters.

Most of the reviews I've read (haven't seen the film, but read the book) have said it wasn't appropriate for children, primarily because of the ending. (See, I didn't spoil it for you by revealing the ending!)